‘Merlin‘ to cast final spell as creators reveal that current fifth series will be the last!

The BBC has announced today the sad news that the current series of ‘Merlin’ will be the last as BBC One’s hit show reaches a spectacular conclusion in a two-part special finale this Christmas. The epic family fantasy drama will which shows in 183 countries with everything Merlin has tried to protect in danger.

The Saturday night favourite began in 2008 replacing, ‘Robin Hood’, and attracted an average audience of over 6 million viewers, with ratings for the current series peaking at 7.1 million along with legions of fans.  The series is celebrated for its magical storytelling, cinematic visual effects and most of all the wonderful cast which includes Colin Morgan as Merlin,Bradley James as Arthur Pendragon, Katie McGrath as Morgana, Angel Coulby as Guinevere, Anthony Head as Uther Pendragon, Richard Wilson as Gaius, and John Hurt as the voice of the Great Dragon.

The story has always been planned aa a 5-year story arc as it “reaches its natural and dramatic end.”  Across the five series the writers have been Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Lucy Watkins, Howard Overman, Ben Vanstone and Richard McBrien

The writers, stars and BBC One Controller, Danny Cohen all say there goodbye’s to five years of Arthurian fantasy and legend below…

Co-Creators and Executive Producers, Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy confirm the current series will be the last:

“This is the series where the storylines truly reach their apex. We always felt the story of the legend was best told across five series, leading to a spectacular finale that draws on the best known elements of this much-loved story and brings to a conclusion the battle for Camelot. We’d like to thank the amazing cast and crew for their professionalism and dedication, the BBC, FME and all of our partners globally for their incredible support and encouragement across the last five series. But chiefly, our thanks go to Merlin’s remarkable and loyal audience around the world for their enthusiasm for the characters and Camelot universe.”

Danny Cohen, Controller, BBC One said, “Merlin’s mix of magic, adventure and humour quickly became a hit with BBC One audiences and has continued to thrill families over the last five years on Saturday nights. I admire the creators’ decision to end Merlin on a high, but also know that we will miss it in the BBC One schedule. On behalf of BBC One I would like to thank Shine and all those involved in the making of the show both on and off screen. I hope fans will tune in over the coming weeks to see the spectacularly dramatic final episodes, and we have ambitious plans for new drama in the Saturday evening slot in 2013”

Colin Morgan (Merlin) said, “From the beginning this was always going to be a five year journey that we embarked on and I think the show has run its natural course. The show has grown and grown each year and now we’ve arrived at its strongest point and we’ve achieved what we set out to do… I know this is the end, and I know this is goodbye, but thank you for being there on the journey with us because it has been a lot of fun!” 

Bradley James (King Arthur) said, “The Merlin years have provided me with fond memories, great experiences and beloved friends and all the while we were supported by a devoted fan base who made the show a unique, surreal and special experience. My words won’t do justice to the honour of being King Arthur so I shall just say that it has been an exceptional one and that knowing the show has been a part of so many people’s lives, has been humbling.”

Katie McGrath (Morgana) said, “I have always said the success of the show has stemmed from our audience being able to relate to the characters on different levels – being based on the universally loved Arthurian legend is only a tiny part of its success – it’s a story about acceptance and growing up. The breathtaking finale of this series leaves you with no doubt that characters have been on their journeys and had their stories told – it’s completely the right time to draw our telling of the story to a close.”

Angel Coulby (Guinevere) said, “It has been a very special and memorable five years making Merlin. I feel extremely proud to have been part of such a brilliant show and such a great team. I think we’ve told the story we set out to tell, which ends with the fantastic two part finale by the way!  I believe the key to any successful show is making sure you leave people wanting more!”

Richard Wilson (Gaius) said, “Firstly I would like to say that I’m extremely sad that Merlin has come to an end. Speaking as Gaius, I feel I have mentored the young wizard as far as I can – he is much smarter and greater than me now and I am simply exhausted!”

The cast also includes: Mordred (Alexander Vlahos) and the brave Knights of the Round Table Sir Leon (Rupert Young), Sir Percival (Tom Hopper), Sir Gwaine (Eoin Macken) and the late Sir Elyan (Adetomiwa Edun), along with an array of guest stars including; Michelle Ryan, Santiago Cabrera, Emilia Fox, Asa Butterfield, Mackenzie Crook, Adrian Lester, Warwick Davis, Miriam Margoyles, Eddie Marsan, Will Mellor, James Cosmo, Lindsay Duncan, Janet Montgomery, James Fox, Tom Ellis, Nathanial Parker, Michael Cronin, Charles Dance, Gemma Jones, Sarah Parish, Miranda Raison, Ben Daniels and John Lynch.

Earlier in the year we reported that ‘Merlin’ co-creator and executive producer Johnny Capps revealed at the San Diego Comic-Con 2012, that the popular BBC series is to be developed into a trilogy of theatrical films based on the TV series: “We’re hopefully going to do a trilogy – three movies. We will focus on them when we finish Season 5,” Capps said.

Merlin is executive produced by Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy for Shine Television, with Bethan Jones executive producer for BBC Wales. The series is a BBC Cymru Wales Production and was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning and Danny Cohen, Controller BBC One. Created and produced by Shine TV and Fremantle Media Enterprises (FME).

‘Merlin‘ Series 5 has set up Albion’s dark trial and the final battle has been joined, but who will survive? Do not miss the last ever episodes and the dramatic conclusion of Merlin on BBC One, Saturdays at 8pm.